Point Loma-OB Happenings: Skrewball has new owner; OB cleanup set; Woman of Impact; StudentCam winners; more
OB-founded Skrewball Whiskey is now owned by wine and spirits maker Pernod Ricard
Skrewball, a local brand known for its peanut butter whiskey, is now part of Pernod Ricard, the world’s second-largest producer of wines and spirits.
Pernod Ricard announced recently that it had acquired a majority stake in Skrewball, which joins the company’s lineup of brands that include Jameson Irish Whiskey and Absolut vodka. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Steven Yeng and his wife, Brittany, created Skrewball in 2018 after Yeng started mixing peanut butter and whiskey at OB Noodle House, an Ocean Beach restaurant he opened in 2008 with his brothers, Kyle and Scott.
“We’re a little whiskey compared to everything, right in Ocean Beach, of all places,” Steven Yeng said. “We really had to focus on us and really believe that [Pernod Ricard] could take us to the next level. And that’s something that we would never thought in a million years would happen.”
Yeng said that since launching, Skrewball has had steady growth and last year sold more than half-million 9-liter cases.
“Skrewball has proven its uniqueness and success with a large audience, so we are delighted to have this brand as part of our portfolio,” said Ann Mukherjee, chair and chief executive of Pernod Ricard North America. “With a product that brings an iconic American flavor to the spirits world, Steven and Brittany have found a true point of difference in the category. We are looking forward to unlocking the magic of this brand and a successful journey ahead.” — The San Diego Union-Tribune
Ocean Beach business district to get a cleanup April 22
The Ocean Beach MainStreet Association is presenting a community cleanup focusing on the OB beach business district on Saturday, April 22.
Participants can meet at 10 a.m. at Veterans Plaza off Abbott Street near Newport Avenue. Buckets, trash bags and gloves will be provided.
For more information or to sign up, visit OceanBeachSanDiego.com.
Book publishing workshop set at Liberty Station
A workshop in Point Loma called “Book Publishing 1-2-3” will look at the book business, offer writing and marketing tips and share resources to help writers connect with literary agents and editors.
The workshop, led by instructor Laurie Gibson, will be from 10:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 22, at Inspirations Gallery at Liberty Station, 2730 Historic Decatur Road.
The cost is $27-$31.50 For reservations, visit bit.ly/3ohaXlr.
State lawmaker names Point Loma resident as a Woman of Impact
Marketa Hancova of Point Loma is among 10 women honored by state Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner Horvath (D-Encinitas) as a 2023 Woman of Impact in the 77th Assembly District, which includes Point Loma and Ocean Beach.
Over the past two decades, Hancova has become somewhat of a self-appointed Czech ambassador of San Diego, voluntarily organizing events to celebrate and raise awareness of her heritage through lectures, children’s performances, bonfires, dancing events, baking and running a small Czech school.
“I think it’s the answer to peace in the world,” Hancova said in a profile published by the Point Loma-OB Monthly in March 2021. “Let’s know each other, eat together, listen to each other. Let’s enjoy the beauty of our cultures.”
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the former dean of San Diego’s Platt College began teaching music virtually to San Diego City College students from her home. She also writes a cultural blog, aroundtownwithmarketa.com.
“Marketa is a reminder that the American dream still exists to those moving here from other countries,” Boerner Horvath said. “It was a privilege to honor her for her dynamic approach to teaching music to our community college students while sharing her Czech cultural background. Thank you, Marketa, for impacting and inspiring many with your passion for the arts.”
Correia Middle School students win prizes in C-SPAN StudentCam competition
Six students at Correia Middle School in Point Loma are prize winners in C-SPAN’s national 2023 StudentCam competition, which invites students to explore multiple perspectives on topics that interest them and consider solutions to related problems.
The Correia winners are:
- Sophie de la Houssaye and Whitney Kuzmich: $750 as third prize for their documentary, “Human Trafficking: Teach Our Youth or Leave Them in the Dark?”
- Lilah Harris and Victoria Stout: $250 as honorable mention for the documentary “No Place Like Home,” about affordable housing.
- Katherine Fleming and Anna Wang: $250 as honorable mention for the documentary “160 Miles to Home,” about the Endangered Species Act
C-SPAN asked middle and high school students to respond to the question “If you were a newly elected member of Congress, which issue would be your first priority and why?”
The competition, in its 19th year, drew more than 1,500 entries, and nearly 3,000 students participated.
Sunset Cliffs home remodel wins national award for area designer
A Sunset Cliffs whole-home remodel recently won San Diego-based Jackson Design & Remodeling a National Contractor of the Year award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry in the category of “Entire House over $1 million.”
The Sunset Cliffs remodel encompasses four bedrooms, five bathrooms, several outdoor living spaces with views of the cliffs, and exterior architecture reflecting Craftsman and Asian influences, according to JDR.
Golf tournament raises $3,800 for Point Loma Association
The Point Loma Association’s 2023 Shotgun Golf Tournament raised more than $3,800 to support the association and its projects.
The tournament, held March 11 at The Loma Club at Liberty Station, was organized by Diane Sullivan and Allison McCurdy.
Neil Simon’s last play to be staged by Point Loma Playhouse
Point Loma Playhouse will present “Rose and Walsh,” Neil Simon’s last play, on nine dates from May 19 to June 4.
The play is a romantic comedy that portrays two great literary figures and their enduring love.
Performances will be held May 19-21 and 26-28 and June 2-4. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $18-$22.
For more information, visit pointlomaplayhouse.com.
Liberty Station art exhibit focuses on dance
WE Gallery is presenting “Turn! Turn! Turn!” through Aug. 11 at Liberty Station in Point Loma. The art exhibit by Mark Siprut and Larry Caveney explores dance as an expression of life and joy after the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Siprut, an artist, designer, dancer and musician and an associate professor in multimedia at San Diego State University, is exhibiting photographic prints and interactive video.
Caveney, who is showing a series of dance paintings, is also a sculptor, performance artist and a former professor at the Art Institute of San Diego.
“Turn! Turn! Turn!” is in the Mandell Weiss Gallery space in the Dorothea Laub Dance Place at 2650 Truxtun Road. Admission is free.
For more information, visit libertystation.com/do/turn-turn-turn-art-exhibit.
— Compiled by Point Loma-OB Monthly staff